Flexible shaft.



R. L. HIGHT.

FLEXIBLE SHAFT.

APPLIOATIOH FILED MAR.-16, 1912.

1,1 1 1 ,"71 4. Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

WITNESSES 6 Bl; [yr 7135701? Allorney THE AORRIS PETERS ca, PHaTv-LlTl-m., WASHINGTON, u, C.

Be it known that I,'ROBERT L. a" citizen. of the (United States, vresiding at V Decatur, county of Macon, State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexible Shafts, of which the .following is a specification, reference appended claims.

gether in such a manner that it can be easily and quickly assembled or taken apart and one which is very strongand durable.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a flexible shaft formed" of links, each linkbeing stamped from a single piece of metal in one operation whereby a flexible shaft is formed which is exceedingly cheap and has all of the advantages obtained by constructions now inuse.

Other and further ebjectsand; advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth andlthe novel features thereof definedby the In the drawingvfFigure n elevation of my improvedfshaft showing, the same arranged in a flexible casing; Fig. .2 is, an enlarged. longitudinal section through a serles of the llnks; F g, 3 is 2860131011 taken 7 J on linev 3-3 of Fig.2; and Fig. l-i's a plan view ofthe blank formed. 7

Like numerals of'areference refer to like from which the link is parts in the several figures of the drawing.

a lnqthe drawing, 11 indicates aflexible shaft constructed in accordance-with my invention, 2 aflexible casing inclosing the shaft in the ordinary,manner,isaid' casing being is formed of a plurality ofsubstantially U- shapedlinks 3 which are stamped from a sheet of spring tempered: metal and comprise (a head portion l 'having laterally extendof the ordinary construction. The shaft 1 Q ing pivot lugs 5 and arm portions 6 atright H angles thereto provided with apertures? which are adapted'to receive the lugs 5when the links are assembled. In forming the link from the blankas shown. in Fig.4, it

- isvbent as shown dotted lines to form a head 4, the arms 6 of which are bent on rnnxmnnysrinrn T "curveddines transversely as *clearly shown "in Fig. 3. By thisconstruction, a linkis formed having pivot lugs over which the apertured ends'of-the arms aresprung and when the shaft constructed ofa plurality of 1 361mm n nIeH'r, or DECATUR, IilLINoIs,

n p Specification of Letters Patent i" t t tmgz, 1914 i "lemma-mama mr hiejrsm; 'seri lnasassa these links is arranged within 'a flexible casing, it willbef impossible for the arms to move outwardly sofas to spring ofi' of the lugs whereby an exceedingly strong and flexible shaft is formed, In order to allow each link to swing independently, the edges of the head are beveled as shown at 9 adjacent thelugs 5 to.1form bearing surfaces upon which .rest.

The main. difficulty with flexible shafts now in use is that the pivots work loose and become detached, allowing the links to sepa-a rate, but by my construction, the use of rivets is dispensed with and a flexible shaft is formed out of a pluralityof. links, each link having at one end means'for attaching manufacturing flexible shafts is greatly reduced and'a flexible-shaft is formed which has many' advantages over flexible shafts of and are so connected that when placed with in a flexible casing,it will be impossible for the links to become detached. v

I From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I haveprovided a flexible shaft which is formed of a plurality of substantially U-shapedlinks, each link being formed of asingle element whereby the additional connecting members now employed for connecting the respective sections together are dispensed with. a

What is claimed isof U-shaped links pivotally connected together, each link being formed of a single piece of metal and bent into substantially 'U-shape, the arms of which are curved the concaved faces of the arm it to the adjacent link and at its opposite end means to receive the armsof the adj a cent link. By this construction, the cost'of this character now in use as the links can be easily and qulcklyconnected or disconnected 1-. A flexible shaft formed of a plurality I transversely and apertured adjacent their ends, thehead of each link being provided with beveled edges terminating in laterally projectin lugs at right angles to the arms of th'e lin s.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible shz ft composed of a plurality-pf Links of saiclhead fitting"in tl ecenqefl ityef the 10 I of the szu'nelcontriiction, each link cOm bris-L armswd. conforming in shape therete.

ing a strip of metal bent into substantially, In testimony whereof I aflix my signature Ush:1pe form, the head of each link being in pre en9e of UYQ -WltIIBSSGS. n enlarged laterally and terminatin in re- I duce'cl lugs, the arms of said lirl k abeing'i .B E x curved transversely and apertured adjacent I l/Vitnesses:

v their ends and adapted to receive the: lugs Z i ;L.;A-. PATbH,

of the'acljacent link, thevenla ged portions ALLn yWRIGHT.

' Copies of thispatent may, be obtained iox five cents each, by addressingthe f Cpmmis s ioner o f latentg,"

Washington, D. G. 

